Safaricom To Introduce Set Top Box Services By The End Of The Week
Kenyans are about to be reminded why the self-proclaimed ‘The Better Option’ telecom company, is the trend and pace setter in the local telecommunication industry.
Last month, we ran a story featuring Safaricom saying that mobile money and internet access are the next big business for telecom operators after calls. The company was said to working on improving its 3G and 4G Network infrastructure in anticipation of a growing subscribers demand for internet connection.
The telecom is now preapairing to launch its set top box in the Kenyan market later this week. Thus, enabling it to provide video on demand services.
Safaricom will be giving Zuku – a triple play service provider – a race for its money, as it will also be offering telephone, television and internet services, all in one connection. Safaricom is also bound to disrupt the operations of other small players in the market such as Able Wireless and VOD service. The two have had anything but a good run in the Kenyan market since their launch.
The set top box to be introduced by Safaricom is said will be running on Android operating system and retail at around $40.
ITWeb Africa contacted Safaricom, and the telecom’s representative was not able to confirm nor deny the launch of the set top boxes. Saying, “Unfortunately we cannot comment on products or services we are yet to launch.”
However, Zuku is reported to be planning to raise the bar for its services by initiating a VOD service in Kenya. This move will put Zuku in a more fiercely-paced competition with the South Africa based Multichoice, which already provides video on demand to its subscribers.
